Senator Calls for TSA Review Ahead of Holiday Travel Season

As the holiday travel season approaches, Sen. Chuck Schumer has called for a review of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures after a series of high-profile security lapses.

The New York Post reports that Schumer called for a “top to bottom” review Sunday, saying, “In an era of lone wolf terrorists, the continued TSA security failures at airports across the country are highly concerning and a major threat we must neutralize. In light of the recent test result reports, TSA should move immediately to address all holes, shortfalls and gaps in training procedures, technology and the entire airport security process.”

According to ABC News, last week a report surfaced showing that TSA equipment, procedures and screeners failed a series of undercover tests at multiple airport security checkpoints by the Department of Homeland Security, with one source telling ABC News the failure rate could be “in the ballpark” of 80 percent. The report, the full extent of which remains classified, included eight recommendations to improve security, although it is not clear what those recommendations are.

The additional scrutiny comes as Congress considers the TSA Modernization Act, which many travel industry groups have argued would advance the deployment of new technologies to security checkpoints. Both the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) have weighed in in support of the measure, which would also include additional tools for the TSA to expand the TSA PreCheck trusted traveler program.